English Grammar,

considered, little can be expected from a new compilation, besides a careful selection of the most useful matter, and some degree of improvement in the mode of adapting it to the understanding, and the gradual progress of learners. In these repsects something, perhaps, may yet be done for the ease and advantage of young persons.

In books designed for the instruction of youth, there is a medium to be observed, between treating the subject in so extensive and minute a manner, as to embarrass and confuse their minds, by offering too much at once for their comprehension; and, on the other hand, conducting it by such short and general precepts and observations, as convey to them no clear and precise information. A distribution of the parts which is either defective or irregular, has also a tendency to perplex the young understanding, and to retard its knowledge of the principles of literature. A distinct general view, or outline, of all the essential parts of the study in which they are engaged; a gradual and judicious supply of this outline and a due arrangement of the divisions, according to their natural order and connexion, appear to be among the best means of enlightening the minds of youth, and of facilitating their acquisition of knowledge. The author of this work, at the same time that he has endeavoured? to avoid a plan, which may be too concise or too extensive, defective in its parts or irregular in their disposition, has studied to render his subject sufficiently easy, intelligible, and comprehensive. He. does not presume to have completely attained these objects. How far he has succeeded in the attempt, and wherein he has failed, must be referred to the determination of the judicious and candid reader.

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The method which he has adopted, of exhibiting the performance in characters of different sizes, will, he trusts, be conducive to that gradual and regular procedure, which is so favorable to the business of instruction. The more important rules, definitions, and observations, and which are therefore the most proper to be committed to memory, are printed with a larger type; whilst rules and remarks that are of less consequence, that extend or diversify the general idea, or that serve as explanations, are contained in the smaller letter; these, or the chief of them, will be perused by the student to the greatest advantage, if postponed till the general system be completed. The use of notes and observations, in the common and detached manner, at the bottom of the page, would not, it is imagined, be so likely to attract the perusal of youth, or admit of so ample and regular an illustration, as a continued and uniform order of the several subjects. In adopting this mode, care has been taken to adjust it so that the whole may be perused in a connected progress, or the part contained in the larger character read in order by itself. Many of the notes and observations are intended not only to explain the subjects, and to illustrate them, by comparative views of the grammar of other languages, and of the various sentiments of English grammarians; but also to invite the ingenious student to inquiry and ?

more particularly to observe, that in selecting and form has been the author's aim to render them as exact and sive, and, at the same time, as intelligible to young mi nature of the subject, and the difficulties attending it, v He presumes that they are also calculated to be readily to memory, and easily retained. For this purpose, he h licitous to select terms that are smooth and voluble; t the members of the sentences to one another; to avoid periods; and to give the whole definition or rule, as mu of expression as he could devise.

From the sentiment generally admitted, that a proper faulty compositon is more instructive to the young gram any rules and examples of propriety that can be given, ler has been induced to pay peculiar attention to this par ject; and though the instances of false grammar, und of Syntax, are numerous, it is hoped they will not be fo ny, when their variety and usefulness are considered.

In a work which professes itself to be a compilation, from the nature and design of it, must consist chiefly c selected from the writings of others, it is scarcely nec pologize for the use which the Compiler has made of hi sors' labors; or for omitting to insert their names. Fro ations which have been frequently made in the sentime language, to suit the connection, and to adapt them to th purposes for which they are introduced; and, in man from the uncertainty to whom the passages originally be insertion of names could seldom be made with propri this could have been generally done, a work of this na derive no advantage from it, equal to the inconvenience the pages with a repetition of names and references. I er, proper to acknowledge, in general terms, that the whom the grammatical part of this compilation is princip ed for its materials, are Harris, Johnson, Lowth, Priestl Sheridan, Walker, and Coote.

THE rules and observations respecting perspicuity, & in the Appendix, and which are, chiefly, extracted fro ings of Blair and Campbell, will, it is presumed, form dition to the Grammar. The subjects are very nearly re the study of perspicuity and accuracy in writing, appea to follow that of Grammar. A competent acquaintan principles of both, will prepare and qualify the students euting those additional improvements in language, to may be properly directed.

On the utility and importance of the study of Gramm principles of composition, much might be ad anced, for agement of persons in early life to apply themselves to th

r ideas, and the medium by which we perceive the sentiments of hers, and communicate our own; and as signs exhibit the things hich they are intended to represent, more or less accurately, acording as their real or established conformity to those things is ore or less exact; it is evident, that in proportion to our knowlge of the nature and properties of words, of their relation to each her, and of their established connexion with the ideas to which ey are applied, will be the certainty and ease, with which we ansfuse our sentiments into the minds of one another; and that ithout a competent knowledge of this kind, we shall frequentlye in hazard of misunderstanding others, and of being misundertood ourselves. It may indeed be justly asserted, that many of e differences in opinion amongst men, with the disputes, contenons, and alienations of heart, which have too often proceeded rom such differences, have been occasioned by a want of proper kill in the connexion and meaning of words, and by a tenaciouses misapplication of language.

ONE of the best supports which the recommendation of this study can receive, in small compass, may be derived from the following entiments of an eminent and candid weiter* on language and com. position. "All that regards the study of composition, merits the higher attention upon this account, that it is intimately connected "with the improvement of our intellectual powers. For I must be · allowed to say, that when we are employed after a proper manner, "in the study of composition, we are culti ating the understanding "itself. The study of arranging and expressing our thoughts with " propriety, teaches to think, as well as to speak, accurately.”

BEFORE the close of this introduction, it may not be superfluous to observe, that the author of the following work has no interest in it, but that which arises from the hope, that it will prove of some advantage to young persons, and relieve the labours of those who are employed in their education. He wishes to promote, in some degree, the cause of virtue, as well as of learning; and with this view, he has been studious, through the whole of the work, not only to avoid every example and illustration, which might have an improper effect on the minds of youth; but also to introduce, on many occasions, such as have a moral and religious tendency. His attention to objects of so much importance will, he trusts, meet the approbation of every well disposed reader. If they were faithfully regarded in all books of education, they would doubtless contribute very materially to the order and happiness of society, by guarding the innocence, and cherishing the virtues of the rising generation. ›

Holdgate, near York, 1795.

*Blair.

THE eighth edition of this grammar received cons terations and additions: but works of this nature adm ed improvements; and are, perhaps, never complete. solicitous to render his book more worthy of the enco probation bestowed on it by the public, has again revis with care and attention. The new edition, he hopes v much improved. The additions, which are very consi chiefly such as are calculated to expand the learner's subject to obviate objections: and to render the stu mar both easy and interesting. This edition contain and enlarged system of parsing copious lists of nou according to their gender and number and many note vations, which serve to extend or to explain particu positions.*

The writer is sensible, that after all his endeavors the principles of the work, there are few of the divisio ments, definitions, or rules, against which critical in not devise plausible objections. The subject is atter much intricacy, and admits of views so various, that possible to render every part of it unexceptionable; modate the work in all respects, to the opinions and pr of every grammarian and teacher. If the author has system which, on the whole, is best suited to the subject, and conformable to the sentiments of the m grammarians; if his reasonings and illustrations, re ticular points are founded on just principles, and the of the English language; he has, perhaps, done all th sonably be expected in a work of this nature; and he ably indulge a hope, that the book will be still more approved and circulated.

The author conceives that the occasional strictu through the book, and intended to illustrate and suppor important and grammatical points, will not, to young p nutity, appear to be dry and useless discussions. He is p

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by such persons they will be read with attention. that these strictures will gratify their curiosity, stimula and give solidity and permanence to their grammatical k the octavo edition of the Grammar, the reader will fi tional discussions of this nature.

Holdgate, near York, 1814.